“My dear child, I see you are looking pale and weary, which is overt and unpardonable treason. I sent for you to ask if it would be agreeable to you to walk, or drive with me.”
“Certainly,—either or both.”
She had placed her hands in his, and stood looking up joyfully into his quiet countenance.
“Get your hat, while I order my buggy brought to the door.”
“Thank you, my dear doctor. The very thing I longed for, as I noticed you riding up the avenue. I never saw you on horseback until to-day. It is a delightful evening for a drive.”
She gaily swung his hands, like a gratified child, and 189 started off for her hat, but, ere she crossed the threshold, turned back, and, walking up to her guardian, laid her arm on his shoulder and whispered something.
He laughed, and put his hand under her chin, saying, as he did so,—
“Little witch! How did you know it?”
Her reply was audible only to the ears for which it was framed, and she darted away, evidently much happier than she had seemed for many days.
While awaiting her return, Dr. Grey picked up her sketch-book, and was examining the contents, when Salome rose and hurried towards the door. As she passed him, his back was turned, and her muslin dress swept within reach of his spur, which caught the delicate fabric. She impatiently jerked the dress to disengage it, but it clung to the steel points, and a long rent was made in the muslin. With a half-smothered ejaculation, she tried to wrench herself free, but the dress only tore across the breadth from seam to seam. Dr. Grey turned, and stooped to assist her.